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Amy, Siblings and Cousins on 23rd
One of the things I really enjoy about Christmas is continuing family traditions. On Amy's side of the family there are 2 such traditions that I enjoy partaking in each year.
The first takes place on the evening of the 23rd. It is the celebration of my MIL's birthday. Being born so close to Christmas sometimes can seem like the short end of the stick. My MIL's family certainly made it work for her. They gather the relatives for a great dinner (these day's it's an outstanding pot luck). Then after dinner they gather round the table and the birthday girl is celebrated. She is sung to and she opens a barrage of presents. When that is finished the Christmas presents are handed out and everyone opens presents from youngest to oldest.
The first takes place on the evening of the 23rd. It is the celebration of my MIL's birthday. Being born so close to Christmas sometimes can seem like the short end of the stick. My MIL's family certainly made it work for her. They gather the relatives for a great dinner (these day's it's an outstanding pot luck). Then after dinner they gather round the table and the birthday girl is celebrated. She is sung to and she opens a barrage of presents. When that is finished the Christmas presents are handed out and everyone opens presents from youngest to oldest.
My 2 favorite parts of this evening are the themed gifts and the clapping. Not every year, but many years some of my wife's relatives will give everyone the same type of gift. One year it was slipper socks. What is really cool about this is how the family pulls it off. After a few people have opened their gift, and the pattern has emerged, people begin chanting the name of the item while it's being opened. If you've never opened slipper socks while 15 people are chanting slipper socks you are missing out!
After each gift is opened there is a moment of gift appreciation and clapping. This is no golf clap either. These are heartfelt moments of appreciation, the clapping is really more from the joy of Christmas and time spent family and less the celebration of the material.
The second established tradition is also on my MIL's side of the family. Each year on Christmas Eve they go bowling. I am not quite sure how or why the idea started but as a guy who loves bowling I don't question it.
It's such a nice tradition that I just penned a ditty to celebrate it.
Tis the season to go bowling
Fa la la la la la la la la
Gets the Holiday fun a-rolling
Fa la la la la la la la la la
In the peaks and in the valleys
fa la la fa la la fa la la
We have fun in lighted alleys
fa la la la la la la la la
Some have t-shirts with their names
fa la la la la la la la la
Some are bowling Flintstone frames
fa la la la la la la la la
Some are striking some are sparring
Fa la la fa la la la la la
great experiences all are sharing
Fa la la la la la la la la
Here at Home School Dad I wish the happiest of holidays and the merriest of Christmas and the least amount of gutter balls possible.
Next Time: Six Word Saturday
1 comment:
Bowling is truly a family sport because everyone can get involved. Little children can enjoy the sport of bowling with special bumpers. Families can compete and have fun. Bowling has something for everyone to enjoy, the die hards as well as young children who just want in on the action.Bowling in Toronto
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